“The suspect ran from the scene when stopped by brothers standing guard at the mosque.

“A shot was fired which fortunately did not hit anyone.”

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Ilford North MP Wes Streeting said he would be contacting the police about the incident.

“I am aware of the reports of a man with a firearm at Seven Kings Mosque during prayers tonight and am relieved that no one appears to have been hurt or injured. Thank you to @MPSRedbridge for a swift response,” he tweeted.

Scotland Yard said the investigation was being led by detectives from the East Area Command Unit, although the Trident gang squad had been notified.

“Police were called at 10.45pm on Thursday, 9 May to reports that a man, believed to be in possession of a firearm, had entered a mosque on High Road in Seven Kings,” the force said.

“The man was ushered outside of the building by those inside. A gunshot was then heard.

“Officers, including firearms officers, attended. There were no reported injuries or damage to the building.

“At this early stage, ballistic evidence recovered from the scene suggests that the weapon was a blank firing handgun.

“Officers will continue to work closely with representatives from the mosque and are providing reassurance to the local community.”

Last month nearly 260 people died in the Easter Sunday attacks in Sri Lanka, which included a suicide bombing on a church.

In March a mass shooting by a far-right terrorist at a mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand, left 50 people dead.

One woman was killed when a gunman opened fire at a synagogue in California in April.

In June 2017 one man was killed and nine other people were injured when far-right extremist Darren Osborne drove a van at worshippers near Finsbury Park mosque in north London.